Popular Shows by Rena Reiser: Page 4

301

269 - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 05 29 2024

May 29, 2024

9:46

Embodying Relaxing and Trusting Hashem During our guided somatic mindfulness practice with Rena, we took a journey inward to become more embodied. We began by taking deep breaths, inviting our breath to signal that it was okay to slow down, relax, and let go. We allowed our bodies to settle into the surface beneath us, feeling thoroughly supported. Rena asked us to recall a time when we struggled physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and then suddenly found help. We sensed this in our bodies, remembering the relief and safety it brought. We then brought to mind a current, smaller struggle, sensing how it felt in our bodies. We recalled the past help we received, trusting that we could rely on Hashem's support again. We were encouraged to let go of responsibilities that weren't ours and to feel supported, knowing Hashem's help would come as it always has. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following. 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

302

270 - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 05 30 2024

May 30, 2024

9:40

Mindful Week Completion In Rena's guided somatic mindfulness practice, we started by taking deep breaths, allowing our inhales to go as deep as our bodies were willing, and extending our exhales. We tuned into our bodies, feeling the support of the surface beneath us, and allowed ourselves to sink into it. We then brought to mind everything that needed to be done to finish off our week, noticing the emotions and physical sensations that arose. We distinguished each emotion, sensation, and thought, checking in with each part of ourselves to understand its needs. With compassion, we acknowledged and accepted these parts, listening to what form of support they required. Finally, we noticed the impact of this mindful practice on our bodies and asked for Hashem's assistance to help us support these parts as we moved forward. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following. 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

303

271 - Rosh Chodesh Elul Renewal - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 04 2024

Sep 4, 2024

9:56

Rosh Chodesh Elul Renewal In this special Rosh Chodesh Elul guided somatic mindfulness practice with Rena, you'll be gently led to connect with your body and explore how it's holding the challenges in your life. Through simple breathing and relaxation, you'll create space to just be with these feelings without trying to change them. As you settle into this awareness, you'll also be invited to sense Hashem’s closeness, asking for His support and renewal in whatever you're facing. This practice offers a moment of quiet reflection and connection, leaving you feeling more centered and supported. If you feel called to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care, please consider one or more of the following. 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

304

272 - Teshuva: Finding What’s Missing - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 05 2024

Sep 5, 2024

9:59

Teshuva: Finding What’s Missing This meditation invites you to slow down and connect with what’s truly in your heart. You'll begin by gently relaxing your body and reflecting on a recent situation where you didn’t quite act as your best self. Through mindful awareness, you'll explore the sensations in your body connected to that experience and uncover what you really needed in that moment. As you imagine how things could have been different if that need had been met, you’ll gain valuable insight into how to approach similar situations in the future. This practice offers a compassionate space for self-reflection and personal growth, helping you move forward with greater awareness and intention. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

305

273 - Offering and Receiving Compassion - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 09 2024

Sep 10, 2024

8:53

In this meditation, you will be guided to connect with both yourself and others through the power of compassion and consolation. You’ll start by relaxing your body and grounding yourself in the present moment. Then, you’ll bring to mind someone in your life who may be going through a difficult time, offering them your presence and understanding. As you console them in your mind, you’ll notice how this act of compassion feels within you. Next, you’ll turn this kindness inward, allowing Hashem to offer words of consolation to the parts of yourself that need it most. This meditation will help you discover what you can take from this experience into your day, both for yourself and to offer to others in need. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

306

274 - Meeting Hashem in the Field - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 10 2024

Sep 10, 2024

10:08

In this meditation, you will embark on a gentle journey to meet Hashem in the field, allowing you to connect deeply with your inner self. You’ll begin by relaxing your body and becoming aware of the sensations, emotions, and thoughts that arise as you prepare for this sacred encounter. As you approach Hashem, you’ll explore what your heart truly desires to ask of Him and notice how this request resonates within you. This practice will create a compassionate space for you to connect with Hashem’s presence, bringing forth your deepest needs and feeling supported as you continue your spiritual journey. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

307

275 - The Power of Letting Go - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 12 2024

Sep 12, 2024

9:48

The Power of Letting Go This meditation invites you to explore the power of letting go, inspired by the 9th of Elul and themes from Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s 60 Day Journey. You’ll begin by grounding yourself through deep breathing and relaxation, then reflect on a time in your life when you gained something valuable by letting go. As you connect with this memory, you’ll notice how it feels in your body. Then you'll explore a current struggle where you’re finding it hard to let go. Through mindful awareness, you’ll listen to what this part of you needs to release its hold, and you’ll continue the process of stepping aside to allow something better to emerge. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

308

276 - Connecting to The Part of Your That Is Holy - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 15 2024

Sep 15, 2024

9:27

Connecting to The Part of You That is Holy In this meditation, you will be guided to explore what lies between you and your connection to your holy self. Inspired by Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s 60 Day Journey, this practice will help you tap into any emotions, sensations, or memories that reveal the obstacles standing between you and the part of you that is sacred. With compassion, you’ll allow these parts to speak and fully express themselves. Finally, you’ll reconnect with your inner holiness, noticing how it feels in your body and giving it space to be fully expressed. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

309

277 - Creating Space for Patience - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 16 2024

Sep 22, 2024

10:07

Creating Space for Patience This meditation invites you to explore your feelings of impatience and bring a sense of calm and patience into a situation in your life where you’ve been longing for change. Grounding yourself with deep breaths and mindful awareness, you’ll gently connect with the sensations of impatience in your body, noticing how they manifest. Through compassionate listening, you’ll ask this part of you what it needs and acknowledge its response, creating space for greater understanding. As you tune into any emerging patience, even in small amounts, you’ll carry this newfound calm into your day, allowing holiness to enter. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

310

278 - Unmasking Your True Self - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 17 2024.mp3

Sep 22, 2024

9:18

Unmasking Your True Self This meditation invites you to explore the spaces in your life where your inner self and outer actions may not align, helping you gently unmask your true essence. Through deep, grounding breaths and mindful awareness, you’ll reflect on moments where you felt a disconnect between what you intended and how you actually responded. By tuning into the sensations in your body, you’ll move between your true desires and your outward actions, exploring what it would take to bridge that gap. As you hold space for this reflection, you’ll imagine how it might feel to live in closer alignment with your soul’s true expression and bring that energy into your day. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

311

279 - Aligning with Your Elul Intentions - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 19 2024.mp3

Sep 22, 2024

9:32

Aligning with Your Elul Intentions This meditation invites you to pause and reflect on your journey through the month of Elul. You’ll begin by taking deep, grounding breaths, allowing your body to gently settle into the moment. As you relax, you’ll connect with your progress during this sacred time, without judgment, simply noticing what arises. Through mindful awareness, you’ll explore what you need to reconnect or deepen your connection to this season’s unique spiritual opportunities. With compassion, you’ll turn to Hashem, asking for His help and support as you align with your intentions for Elul and beyond. In this space of connection, you’ll feel the closeness of His presence and explore what becomes possible with Hashem's support, carrying that sense of closeness and purpose into the rest of your day. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

312

280 - The Gate of Tears: The Path to Repair - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 22 2024.mp3

Sep 22, 2024

9:46

The Gate of Tears: The Path to Repair In this meditation, you are invited to connect with a place in your life that feels broken or in need of repair, gently acknowledging the emotions that arise. Guided by Rabbi Jacobson’s 60-Day Journey, we explore the concept of the Gate of Tears, a path to healing even when something feels irreparable. You’ll reflect on a situation that feels beyond mending, while giving yourself permission to experience the emotions tied to it—allowing any tears or sounds to come naturally. Through this, you tap into the belief that the Gate of Tears is always open, and repair is possible. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

313

281 - Exploring the Block to Forgiveness - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 09 26 2024

Sep 26, 2024

10:04

Exploring the Block to Forgiveness In this meditation, you are invited to explore the path to forgiveness, focusing on a situation that carries a moderate emotional charge. Guided by Rabbi Jacobson’s 60-Day Journey, this session gently helps you uncover what stands between you and forgiveness. You’ll bring to mind a situation where someone has hurt you, notice where and how the pain is held in your body, and compassionately ask what this part of you needs. With this awareness, you will envision providing yourself with what is needed to release the hurt, allowing forgiveness to unfold at its own pace, trusting the process of healing. Please consider one or more of the following to support my mission of promoting Menuchas Hanefesh and self-care: 1) Share this episode with a friend or family member you think would appreciate it. 2) Leave a review on your favorite podcast app or my website. 3) Send me an email or message with your experience listening to this. 4) Make a donation on my website: https://renareiser.com/product/the-daily-pause/ Thank you for your support!

314

282 - Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal - Finding Glimmers: Parshas Vayeshev and Your Inner World

Dec 18, 2024

16:37

In this first episode of Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal, we explore Parshas Vayeshev and Yosef HaTzaddik’s journey—where even in his darkest moment, Hashem’s kindness showed up in the smallest detail. Yosef couldn’t control being sold to the Yishmaelim, yet the pasuk tells us something striking: the caravan carried fragrant spices instead of the usual foul-smelling cargo. A seemingly small kindness, but one that teaches us how Hashem’s chesed exists, down to the smallest glimmers, even in moments of great difficulty. From a nervous system perspective, this invites us to reflect: What happens when we learn to notice the glimmers—the small moments of safety, connection, and goodness—even in the aftermath of our own challenges? In this episode, I share: A Torah insight on Hashem’s kindness in Yosef’s story How we can connect this to our nervous system’s need for safety and regulation A guided mindfulness practice to help you find glimmers in your own life We don’t erase or deny the hard things we’ve been through. Instead, we allow space for them and notice where Hashem’s kindness—however small—showed up, helping our nervous system begin to settle and come home. Wishing you a beautiful Shabbos.

315

283 - Quieting My Inner Yavan: Hashem's Love Always Endures

Dec 25, 2024

15:27

This week on Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal: Connecting Torah Insights to Your Inner World and Nervous System we dive into the story behind the Greeks’ decree for the Jews to inscribe on the horn of an ox that we have no portion with Hashem. As we unpack its meaning, it becomes deeply personal and relevant to our inner world. The Greeks misunderstood something crucial: that no sin, no mistake, no failure could sever our eternal bond with Hashem. And yet, just like the Greeks, we often wrestle with an “inner Yavan”—that critical voice within us, pointing out our mess-ups and mistakes and telling us we’re unworthy. In this episode, we explore: How Chanukah invites us to confront and quiet our inner critic. The enduring love of Hashem, even in moments when we feel disconnected. A somatic practice to embody Hashem’s infinite love and compassion for us. Chanukah reminds us that even when the world (or our inner world) feels dark, the light of Hashem’s love is always present. Join me in a grounding practice to bring this truth into your body, to soften the inner critic, and to hold space for a deeper connection to Hashem and to yourself. Wishing you a Chanukah filled with Hashem's love and inner peace.

316

284 - Why Context Matters: Parshas Vayechi on Regulation

Jan 8, 2025

15:20

In this episode of Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal: Connecting Torah Insights to Your Inner World and Nervous System we explore Yaakov Avinu’s poignant moment as he gathers his sons to reveal the time of the Geulah—and why Hashem prevents him from doing so. What was Yaakov’s intention? How does it connect to our lives today? The Sifsei Chaim offers a powerful analogy: just as a doctor explains every detail of a difficult surgery to a patient to prepare and reassure them, Yaakov sought to give his sons the context they needed to endure life’s challenges with deeper emunah and love for Hashem. This concept resonates deeply with our nervous systems. When we’re given context—whether in a conversation, a request, or a challenging situation—it creates a sense of safety. Without it, we often feel unsettled or dysregulated. In this episode, we discuss: The connection between context, safety, and regulation. How the absence of context impacts our relationships and daily interactions. A guided somatic practice to viscerally explore the effects of context on your body and nervous system. Take a few moments to ground yourself, tune into your body, and discover how creating and seeking context can enhance your sense of safety and connection—with yourself, with others, and with Hashem. Wishing you a meaningful week and a peaceful Shabbos!

317

285 - "How Am I Doing?" - a somatic inquiry practice

Jan 13, 2025

9:46

In this episode, I guide you through a gentle somatic mindfulness practice to help you reconnect with your body, breath, and inner sensations. Together, we’ll explore how to slow down, tune into the support beneath you, and ask your body the compassionate question: “How am I doing right now?” This practice invites curiosity and acceptance as we listen for subtle answers from within, offering your body exactly what it needs or handing it over to Hashem. Join me in creating space for grounding, clarity, and deeper self-awareness.

318

286 - Breath, Bones, and Beyond: A Somatic Check-In - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 01 13 2025

Jan 13, 2025

10:20

In this episode, I guide you through a grounding somatic mindfulness practice that invites you to connect with the intricate systems of your body—your heartbeat, digestion, breath, muscles, and bones. Through gentle awareness and intentional focus, we’ll explore how each part contributes to your aliveness and support. Together, we’ll offer gratitude and care to the body, noticing how it feels when given attention and love. This practice is a gentle reminder of the remarkable ways your body sustains and supports you every moment.

319

288 - Taking Up Space - Somatic Mindfulness Practice 01 20 2025

Jan 20, 2025

9:50

In this episode, I guide you through a somatic mindfulness practice centered on exploring your relationship with space—both expansive and contracted. Through gentle breathing, movement, and visualization, we’ll notice how your body responds to taking up more space and to drawing inward. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore the emotions and sensations that arise, allowing them to simply be. This practice invites you to connect with your inner world, find balance, and give your body a moment to reset and rest.

320

289 - Shortness of Breath - Parshas Va'eira on Regulation

Jan 23, 2025

27:03

In this week’s episode of Parsha, Parts, and Polyvagal - Connecting Torah Insights to Your Inner World and Nervous System, we delve into a powerful insight from Parshas Va’eira. We explore the pasuk: “But they did not listen to Moshe, because of their shortness of breath and hard labor” (Shemos 6:9). Together, we unpack the layers of meaning behind this pasuk through the lens of Rashi and the Maharal, uncovering timeless lessons about how stress and overwhelm affect our ability to truly listen, connect, and find clarity. We discuss how life’s challenges—and the anticipation of them—can create a “shortness of breath,” both physically and emotionally. These moments can leave us feeling stuck, unable to breathe deeply or access our inner calm. But there’s hope: by calming our minds and bodies, we can reclaim the deep breath that helps us navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. In this episode, you’ll hear: The connection between our perceptions of stress and how our bodies respond. How our nervous system reacts when overwhelmed, whether through fight-or-flight or shutdown. A guided practice to help you gently reconnect with your breath and body. This exercise is especially for those moments when life feels too heavy or you can’t seem to find a way to slow down. Take a moment for yourself today. Let this episode remind you that even in the midst of life’s challenges, there is always a path back to calm and clarity.

321

290 - Finding balance between tension and ease - somatic mindfulness practice 01 27 2025

Jan 27, 2025

10:21

Finding Balance Between Tension and Ease In this episode, I guide you through a gentle somatic practice to explore both tension and ease in your body. By bringing compassionate awareness to these sensations, moving between them, and holding space for both to coexist, you’ll expand your capacity to connect with your body and its wisdom. This practice invites you to meet yourself as you are and notice what emerges when you allow your inner experience to unfold.

322

287 - Bringing Transforming Touch® to the Frum World: My Interview with Dr. Stephen Terrell

Jan 20, 2025

54:17

In an effort to bring the power of Transforming Touch® to the frum world, I invited my teacher, Dr. Stephen Terrell, to be interviewed on this podcast, which is made specifically for Jewish women. My main question for Dr. Terrell is: Why is Transforming Touch® so disproportionately popular in the frum world? Here are some of the things we discuss: Dr. Terrell’s journey as a trauma therapist and the development of Transforming Touch®, a profound healing modality rooted in nervous system regulation. His extensive experience working with foster and adoptive families, and how that shaped his approach to healing. His deep connection with the Jewish community and his observations on why Transforming Touch® resonates so strongly in the frum world. The challenges of explaining a therapy that operates beyond words and how it facilitates healing on a deep, nonverbal level. The impact of historical trauma on the Jewish people, from the Holocaust to generational stress, and how that affects the nervous system. The importance of self-regulation, resilience, and creating a sense of safety within the body. The delicate balance between acceptance and healing—how true healing often begins with embracing what is, rather than fighting against it. The innate human drive for transformation and the misconceptions surrounding quick fixes in healing. Navigating neurodivergence with self-compassion and the role of co-regulation in resilience and emotional well-being. This conversation offers a deep and thought-provoking look at healing, trauma, and why Transforming Touch® has struck such a chord in the frum world.

323

291 - Held by Generations: A Guided Practice in Support and Connection - 02 24 2025

Feb 24, 2025

18:24

Held by Generations: A Guided Practice in Support and Connection In this guided practice, I invite you to settle into a space where you feel most at ease. Through breath, awareness, and connection, I guide you to soften into the present moment, allowing your body to release even just a little. As you breathe, you are reminded that Hashem is breathing life into you with each inhale, sustaining you in every moment. Together, we tap into the deep well of support from the women who came before us—all the generations of Jewish women standing behind you, holding you, strengthening you. From this place of grounding, I lead you to gently explore what your heart is needing right now. Through a process of deep listening, we attune to the emotions, sensations, and inner wisdom that arise, offering them space, understanding, and compassion. This practice is an invitation to slow down, to listen deeply, and to receive. Whatever unfolds, you are supported—by your own body, by the strength of those before you, and by the presence of Hashem in every breath.

324

292 - Holding Yourself with Mature Love: A Guided Somatic Practice - 02 25 2025

Feb 25, 2025

9:57

Holding Yourself with Mature Love: A Guided Somatic Practice In this guided practice, I invite you to settle into a space of gentle support. With one hand over your heart and the other on your stomach, we begin by connecting to the breath—just as it is—without needing to change or force anything. Together, we explore what it feels like to release just a little more, to feel the support beneath you, around you, and within you. From this grounded place, I guide you in listening to your body, inviting it to show you what it needs. With care and presence, we practice holding space for what arises—not trying to fix or analyze, but simply being with it, exactly as it is. You’ll notice how much support this part of you wants, offering it the right amount of space, closeness, or reassurance. This practice is about deep listening, attunement, and self-compassion—allowing yourself to be held in mature love, not because you need to change, but because you are worthy of being supported exactly as you are.

325

293 - From Holding Tension to Feeling Held - somatic mindfulness practice 03 02 2025

Mar 2, 2025

9:47

From Holding Tension to Feeling Held In this episode, I guide you through a gentle yet powerful somatic mindfulness practice, inviting you to connect with your body in a new way. Together, we’ll explore tension, not to force it away, but to meet it with curiosity and presence. With the support of your own hands, you’ll learn to tune in to what your body is asking for—whether it needs containment, release, or simply to be acknowledged. This practice offers a moment of deep listening, allowing your body to feel held and supported. Join me as we slow down, breathe, and cultivate a sense of grounded ease within ourselves.

326

294 - The Body Remembers Pleasant Things, Too - somatic mindfulness practice 03 03 2025

Mar 3, 2025

9:42

The Body Remembers Pleasant Things, Too In this episode, I guide you through a gentle practice of shifting from the mind into the body, allowing space to unwind from the day’s momentum. Together, we’ll explore how small adjustments in posture can create a sense of openness and ease. Through the power of memory, we’ll invite in sensations of joy and anticipation—tuning into how these emotions live in the body. This practice is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, to notice the subtle ways your breath and body respond to positive experiences, and to settle into the present moment with a sense of quiet presence.

327

295 - Listening to Your Body’s Needs Through Touch - somatic mindfulness practice 03 05 2025

Mar 5, 2025

9:56

Listening to Your Body’s Needs Through Touch In this episode, I guide you through a gentle practice of self-connection, inviting you to offer your body the love and care it deserves. Through intentional touch, we’ll explore what it feels like to truly listen to your body—tuning in to its needs, its boundaries, and its quiet invitations for more closeness or space. With each breath, you’ll have the opportunity to soften into self-compassion, recognizing all that your body has carried for you. This practice is a simple yet powerful way to cultivate presence, warmth, and appreciation for yourself in the moment.

328

296 - Embodying Your Strengths - somatic mindfulness practice 03 06 2025

Mar 6, 2025

9:41

Embodying Your Strengths In this guided practice, I invite you to connect with your strengths—from within. As we settle into the body, we’ll gently reflect on a recent moment where you showed up in a way that makes you proud. Through breath, awareness, and presence, we’ll explore what it feels like to fully receive the recognition of your own strength, letting it settle into your body and being.

329

297 - I thought I was past this...

Mar 16, 2025

4:38

You’ve done the work. You’ve learned the tools. And then—suddenly—you find yourself right back in an old pattern. The frustration creeps in: Why am I still here? In this episode, I share a recent experience of falling into that familiar cycle and what it taught me about healing, patience, and self-trust. Because healing isn’t about never struggling again—it’s about how we meet ourselves in those moments.

330

298 - Opening to the Support of Hashem and the World Around You - somatic mindfulness practice 03 09 2025

Mar 26, 2025

9:41

In this guided practice, I help you tune into the many layers of support already holding you—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I lead you to notice the simple, tangible supports in your life and gently open to the deeper, infinite support of Hashem. If fully trusting that support feels challenging, I guide you in meeting that resistance with kindness, allowing your body to soften into what feels safe. This is an invitation to feel held, grounded, and supported in a way that your whole self can receive.

331

299 - Navigation Pre-YT and YT Stress with Complex Personal Backgrounds - with Chaya Hinda

Apr 2, 2025

1:37:32

As Pesach approaches, the stress of navigating family dynamics, expectations, and personal triggers can feel overwhelming—especially for those of us with complex backgrounds. In this heartfelt conversation, Chaya Hinda and I explore what it means to prioritize our own needs, set boundaries with difficult personalities, and embrace the reality of our emotions rather than pushing them aside. We dive into the power of saying “no” with confidence, making the Seder meaningful even in unconventional settings, and shifting focus from external pressures to inner connection and joy. With raw honesty and deep compassion, we also touch on the challenges of parenting when carrying personal trauma, the importance of speaking to ourselves with kindness, and how to balance self-care with communal and familial responsibilities. If you’ve ever felt the weight of holiday expectations or struggled to find peace in the chaos, have a listen to this conversation. Our hope and tefillah is that you’ll walk away feeling validated, supported, and equipped with new perspectives to bring more ease and meaning into your Yom Tov experience.

332

300 - “I Feel Like…” - The Hidden Difference Between Thoughts and Feelings

Jun 8, 2025

55:41

How often do we say “I feel like…” - but what we’re actually expressing is a thought, an opinion, or a judgment? In this live conversation, my husband Rabbi Yonasan Reiser and I sat down to explore the deeper meaning behind that common phrase. We unpacked the subtle but powerful difference between thoughts and feelings, and why this distinction matters so much in our relationships, our self-awareness, and even our avodas Hashem. Topics we touched on include: – Why it feels safer to say “I feel like…” instead of naming what we actually feel – The role of vulnerability in honest communication – A Shabbos story that surprised me with just how many feelings were tangled inside – How unmet needs show up in relationships, especially between men and women – What it means to receive and give from a place of wholeness, through the lens of the Kabbalistic concepts of mekabel and mashpia – Why having the right words for our emotions can create real relief and connection – And how using Nonviolent Communication in our marriage gave us a shared language to express what’s really going on beneath the surface Whether you're new to this kind of emotional work or deep in it, we hope this conversation brings more clarity, self-compassion, and maybe even new language to help you feel heard, by yourself and the people you love.

333

301 - Why the return to normal might not feel normal

Jun 25, 2025

12:22

After 12 days of war and survival-mode living, many of us are being asked, or even expected, to return to "normal." But what happens when your nervous system isn’t ready? When your body is still holding the weight of everything it’s just lived through? In this episode, I speak to the tender and often unspoken truth of what it means to transition out of crisis: the pace, the pressure, the vigilance that doesn’t just go away. I share why the slower, quieter rhythm of wartime, even in its intensity, can feel strangely grounding, and how to gently honor your own process, even if it looks different from those around you. Listen with curiosity, compassion, and the knowing that there’s nothing wrong with you if “normal” feels anything but.

334

302 - Soften into what's true for you - a somatic mindfulness practice

Jun 26, 2025

15:37

In this gentle practice, I guide you to settle into your body and notice what it’s holding -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through breath, touch, and awareness, I help you tune into the sensations that express your current emotional landscape, and find the words that resonate with what you feel inside. You’re invited to meet these parts of yourself with compassion, to imagine giving yourself exactly what you need, and to receive the possibility of Hashem offering it to you as well. This is a practice of presence, honesty, and quiet self-nurturing.

335

303 - How to stop chasing the “perfect” formula

Aug 24, 2025

4:28

Ever wish for the magic formula to fix your life in three easy steps? I joke about it with my clients, but the truth is, real change isn’t linear. In this episode, I share why our minds crave step-by-step solutions, how our bodies hold the real key to growth, and what my actual three-step plan looks like. Tune in for a mix of humor, Torah wisdom, and practical insight.

336

304 - Accept my inner apikorus?!

Aug 25, 2025

4:47

As Elul begins, many women feel a mix of urgency and pressure to change, especially if perfectionism is part of the picture. In this episode, I share why pushing yourself past your limits isn’t the path to lasting growth, and how the concept of “widening the window of tolerance” can bring you back to menuchas hanefesh.

337

305 - Beyond Restriction: Rethinking Food, Stress, and Healing

Oct 23, 2025

1:12:35

What if healing isn’t about cutting more out of your life — but about what you choose to add back in? In this conversation, I sit down with registered dietitian Noa Miller to explore how nutrition and mind-body work can come together to support chronic health conditions. We discuss how stress, emotional repression, and restrictive mindsets around food can keep the body in a state of tension — and how curiosity, nourishment, and regulation help it return to balance. Noa shares her own journey through surgery, autoimmune illness, and the search for a sustainable approach to healing. Together, Noa and I unpack the complex relationship between body, food, and emotion, offering a grounded, compassionate look at what real healing requires. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of: Why restriction and quick fixes rarely work long-term How emotional awareness and nervous system regulation affect digestion and inflammation Ways to approach nutrition with flexibility, curiosity, and joy The power of integrating medical, emotional, and spiritual care

338

306 - Of course you teach what you need to learn

Jan 5, 2026

1:14

339

307 - When your body says not yet

Jan 6, 2026

1:48

340

308 - When you make it impossible to trust yourself

Jan 7, 2026

1:49

341

309 - When they only see you after you soften

Jan 8, 2026

1:15

342

310 - What to do after they mishandle your tenderness

Jan 9, 2026

1:31

343

311 - The Art of Not Fixing: How to Hold Space for Your Spouse

Jan 11, 2026

51:59

What does it actually mean to "hold space" for someone? And why do so many of us struggle to do it, especially with the people we love most? In this conversation with my husband Rabbi Yonasan Reiser, we dive deep into the nervous system dynamics of holding space - from the protective bubble we create around someone's experience to why our instinct to "fix" actually disconnects us from the people we're trying to help. We get real about the challenges of holding space in marriage, why men and women often need different things when they're dysregulated, and how understanding someone's nervous system state changes everything about how we show up for them. What we explore: The energetic container of holding space Why our children need their full emotional experience How dysregulation affects our ability to hear solutions Why "fixing" often misses the mark completely

344

312 - The nervous system paradox

Jan 12, 2026

1:44

345

313 - How we accidently teach people not to trust themselves

Jan 13, 2026

1:43

346

314 - Why kids escalate when you try to calm them down

Jan 14, 2026

1:26

347

315 - We either co-regulate or co-dysregulate

Jan 15, 2026

1:29

348

316 - The difference between their higher self and their dysregulation talking

Jan 16, 2026

1:25

349

317 - For the Deeply Sensitive: A Missing Tool for 25% of Us

Jan 18, 2026

57:29

Have you ever felt stuck trying to create distance from overwhelming thoughts and emotions? Like you understood the concept of "not being your feelings" intellectually, but couldn't actually experience it in your body? In this conversation, Rena shares how she discovered a practice that finally gave her what years of other approaches couldn't: the ability to actually be with what was happening inside her without getting swallowed by it or having to push it away. Her husband, Rabbi Yonasan Reiser, asks the questions many would wonder: What makes this different from meditation or therapy? Why does it work so well for some people but remain relatively unknown? Who is this really for? Together, they explore a way of working with your inner experience through bodily sensation rather than mental analysis - a practice that requires slowing down in a world that values speed, but paradoxically creates faster transformation for those who need it most. This Episode Is For You If: You're a deep feeler, deep thinker, or highly sensitive person who processes everything intensely You've tried therapy or self-help approaches that felt like they weren't quite designed for your nature You understand healing concepts intellectually but struggle to translate them into embodied experience You're drawn to introspection but also crave being truly seen and received by another person You sense there's wisdom in your body but don't know how to access it

350

318 - A cognitive trap

Jan 19, 2026

1:22

351

319 - Wrong tools

Jan 20, 2026

1:34

352

320 - The slowness paradox

Jan 21, 2026

1:28

353

321 - Being received

Jan 22, 2026

1:36

354

322 - Why this isn't mainstream

Jan 23, 2026

1:52

355

323 - Holding Your Own Emotions vs. Managing Everyone Else's

Jan 25, 2026

1:00:10

Ever left a therapy session or workshop feeling more activated than when you started? Like you've opened Pandora's box and don't know how to close it? This is one of the most common concerns about doing deep healing work: once you start feeling, everything comes up. Your system says "oh good, you're ready" and brings more to the surface. In this conversation, my husband, Rabbi Yonasan Reiser, joins me as we explore what to do with all that activation. We discuss why some modalities are so careful they keep you stuck, what it means to find "the right distance" from your experience, and how to let processes complete instead of constantly interrupting them. But then the conversation goes somewhere unexpected: into women's power in the home. What happens when you're trying to regulate yourself but everyone around you is dysregulated? How much influence does a woman actually have? And what responsibilities have we been carrying that were never ours to begin with? I speak about the exhaustion of martyrdom, the pattern of filling up space that leaves no room for others to step up, and what it means to ask "what do I need?" as an act of power rather than selfishness. Key Themes Explored: The activation paradox - Once you make space for one feeling, your system brings up more. This is how healing works! The question isn't how to avoid activation, but how to be with it. Finding the right distance - Not so far from your experience that you don't feel anything. Not so close that you're overwhelmed. There's a sweet spot where you can be in relationship with what you're feeling. Too careful = stuck - Some approaches are so concerned about not overwhelming you that they don't let you actually touch what's there. For people who need to feel deeply, this is maddening. Completing vs stopping - When you interrupt a process before it's complete, you're left with unfinished activation. Naming to relate - When you can label activation, you develop a relationship with it. When you don't want to label it (often from fear), you just act it out without understanding why. Women's power through presence - When a woman can hold her own emotions and activation, finding regulation within herself, she has massive impact on everyone around her. Not through fixing or managing everyone else's emotions, but through her grounded presence. Responsibilities that aren't yours - Two big ones: taking responsibility for everyone's emotions (needing to solve everyone's feelings instead of just being present), and taking on household roles early in marriage that leave no space for partners to step up. The martyrdom trap - Women get exhausted carrying responsibilities that were never theirs while simultaneously feeling overwhelmed by the idea of their actual power. When you say no to what's not yours, you free up space for what is. The mirrors in Mitzrayim - Women in Mitzrayim had the vision of what was possible in the present moment, even when the men couldn't see it. They trusted their husbands could do what needed to be done while they held the vision of the home. "What do I need?" - This question is an act of stepping out of martyrdom. It's trusting that Hashem and your neshama can provide what you need. It's recognizing you're worthy of support while activation works itself out. Destigmatizing activation - Removing the shame and fear around it. When you can recognize and name it, you can work with it instead of being blindsided by it. This Episode Is For You If: You've ever left therapy or deep work feeling more stirred up than when you started You're trying to find the balance between feeling your feelings and not getting overwhelmed You're exhausted from taking responsibility for everyone's emotions in your home You've been doing things yourself for so long that letting anyone else try feels impossible You wonder how much influence one person can really have on a household You struggle to ask "what do I need?" without feeling selfish You want to understand activation as part of the process rather than evidence something's wrong

356

324 - Why you feel worse after deep work

Jan 26, 2026

1:53

357

325 - Screaming with rage

Jan 27, 2026

1:33

358

326 - Why he hasn't stepped up

Jan 28, 2026

2:01

359

327 - What do I need?

Jan 29, 2026

1:37

360

328 - Somatic Mindfulness Practice: Moving from Martyr to Self-Care

Jan 30, 2026

10:05

Welcome to a somatic mindfulness practice - a guided body-centered exploration I'm bringing back to the podcast each Friday. This week's practice connects to our recent conversation about activation, women's exhaustion, and the pattern of putting everyone else before ourselves. In this 10-minute practice, you'll be guided to: Ground and relax in your body Connect with your experience of martyrdom and activation Hold what arises with the gentleness you'd use for precious crystal Notice resistance to treating yourself with care Ask the question: "What do I need right now?" Give yourself what you need - or offer it to Hashem as tefillah This is about feeling where activation currently lives in your body and practicing a different way of being with yourself.

361

329 - Your Window of Menuchas Hanefesh: Finding Your Capacity for Chesed

Feb 1, 2026

53:14

We hear it all the time: push yourself, do more mitzvahs, more chesed. You didn't come to this world just to take care of yourself. But what happens when that push leaves you scattered, dysregulated, unable to be civil with the people in your own home? In this conversation, Rabbi Yonasan and Rena Reiser explore a concept that previous generations didn't need spelled out but our generation desperately needs to hear: Derech Eretz must come first. You have to be a person - regulated, grounded, present - before you can do mitzvahs with meaning. They discuss why menuchas hanefesh (inner calm and regulation) isn't selfishness - it's the prerequisite for everything else. And how each person has their own "window of menuchas hanefesh" - a unique capacity for what they can give without falling apart. Key Themes Explored: Derech Eretz comes first - Being civil and decent (with others AND yourself) is the foundation. Before developing higher midos, you need to be able to function as a basic person. If you're so overwhelmed you can't be civil, that undermines every mitzvah you do. Menuchas hanefesh vs pizur nefesh - When you're regulated (menuchas hanefesh), you can be present for mitzvahs with proper kavana. When you're scattered (pizur nefesh), you're operating from survival mode - there's no person there doing the mitzvah. The window of menuchas hanefesh - Each person has a unique capacity for what they can do while staying regulated. This isn't fixed - you can stretch it - but pushing beyond it means you're no longer functioning as yourself. Mah chovaso be'olamo - "What is your obligation in your world?" Not THE world, but YOUR world. Each person's obligations are different based on their strengths, limitations, and circumstances. Why our generation needs this spelled out - Previous generations lived closer to survival - their needs were obvious. We have abundance and blurred lines. We now have space to attend to our inner world, which creates both opportunity and confusion. Boundaries aren't selfish - Saying "this is what I can do and this is where I draw the line" isn't about being selfish. It's about knowing what you need to function - physically, emotionally, spiritually. Quality over quantity - There are different levels to doing a mitzvah - physical action is baseline, but higher levels require mental presence and proper kavana, which are impossible when dysregulated. Taking care of yourself = 8 hours - Rebbetzin Yitty Neustadt's calculation: sleep (8 hours) + self-care during waking hours (6-8 hours) = what's left goes to others. Not everyone else first and you get leftovers. The longing to give - V'ahavta l'rayacha kamocha isn't meant literally in actions (you'd die from neglecting yourself). It's about the mentality - the longing and desire to give. That desire matters even when you can't act on it. Chesed takes many forms - Not just cooking meals and hosting guests. Programming for organizations at low cost. Learning as a chavrusa. The form that works for your capacity is the right form. This Episode Is For You If: You feel guilty prioritizing your own needs You've been told to "just push through" but find yourself completely depleted You're exhausted from trying to do everything and wondering why your mitzvahs feel mechanical You're deeply sensitive and struggle with the message to "just do more" You've been told self-care is selfish and can't shake that voice You need permission to find your own capacity instead of comparing yourself to others You're trying to figure out what boundaries are appropriate

362

330 - The longing counts

Feb 2, 2026

1:39

363

331 - What can you do while staying yourself

Feb 3, 2026

1:56

364

332 - What they'll say

Feb 4, 2026

1:56

365

333 - YOUR world, not THE world

Feb 5, 2026

1:48

366

334 - Somatic Mindfulness Practice Finding Your Window of Menuchas Hanefesh

Feb 6, 2026

10:06

This is a body-centered practice connecting to our recent conversation about menuchas hanefesh and pizur hanefesh - what it feels like to stay within your window versus being pushed beyond it. In this 10-minute practice, you'll be guided to: Ground and settle in your body Remember a recent moment that pushed you into pizur hanefesh (scattered, overwhelmed) Notice how your body holds that experience Remember a moment where you stayed within your window of menuchas hanefesh Notice how your body holds that experience differently Move between both experiences to feel the contrast Strengthen the neural pathways of staying regulated This practice helps you develop an embodied sense of what your window actually feels like - so you can recognize when you're approaching the edge and make different choices. When to Use This Practice: After listening to "Your Window of Menuchas Hanefesh: Finding Your Capacity for Chesed" When you're trying to understand your actual capacity (not what you think it should be) When you keep pushing yourself beyond your limits without realizing it As a way to build awareness of what regulation vs dysregulation feels like in YOUR body Before making commitments to help you sense whether something is within your window What You'll Need: 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted time A comfortable place to sit or lie down Willingness to explore moments from the last couple of days Note: This practice uses pendulation (moving between activation and regulation) to help you recognize what your window of menuchas hanefesh actually feels like in your body. The more you practice noticing this, the easier it becomes to recognize when you're approaching your edge in real time.

367

335 - Vulnerability in Marriage: Learning to Need Your Spouse

Feb 8, 2026

46:08

You made space for your husband to step up. He's fumbling through it. And you're standing there thinking: I could do this so much better. Should I just take over again? But - when you're asking "is this worth it?" you're trying to calculate a payoff you can't even see yet. Your vision of what marriage could be is being imagined from inside the wound - from inside the pattern of doing everything yourself. In this Q&A conversation, Rabbi Yonasan and Rena Reiser tackle two listener questions that reveal the same challenge: learning to be vulnerable in marriage. Not just "let him help with tasks" vulnerable. Actually vulnerable - admitting you have inadequacies, expressing uncomfortable feelings, asking for what you need. They explore why this feels so foreign when you've been independent your whole life. Why most women can't even recognize what they're feeling, let alone ask for it. And why there's no shortcut around the discomfort - real interdependence requires learning an entirely new language. This Episode Is For You If: - You made space for your husband to step up and he's fumbling - wondering if you should just take over - You're exhausted from handling everything but don't know how to need your husband - You're in early marriage transitioning from independence to vulnerability - You can't recognize what you're feeling, let alone what you need - The thought of asking for help feels embarrassing - You're perfectionistic and struggle watching anyone (including yourself) fail - You wonder if you're capable of real interdependence

368

336 - He's going to let you down

Feb 9, 2026

1:28

369

337 - Learning a different language

Feb 10, 2026

2:13

370

338 - Permission to take care of yourself first

Feb 11, 2026

1:17

371

339 - Practice Failing

Feb 12, 2026

1:54

372

340 - Somatic Mindfulness Practice: Softening Into Feminine Strength

Feb 13, 2026

10:36

This is a body-centered practice exploring the feminine work of softening and receiving - moving from "I've got this" to "I need help." In this 10-minute practice, you'll be guided to: Ground and settle, remembering that Hashem is breathing life into you Notice how independence feels - the tightening, grasping, holding on Explore vulnerability as feminine strength - softening your shoulders, holding your head high Practice what it feels like in your body to receive help instead of controlling everything Move between tightening and softening to feel the contrast Rest in the vulnerability of asking for your needs to be met, rewiring your nervous system to receive This practice helps you recognize when you're holding and controlling, and builds your capacity to soften into your femininity and receive what you need. When to Use This Practice: - After listening to "Vulnerability in Marriage: Learning to Need Your Spouse" - When you've been handling everything alone and notice you're tight and tense - When you need to practice softening before asking your husband for help - As a way to reconnect with feminine strength (not masculine control) - When you catch yourself tightening, grasping, trying to do it all - To build your capacity to receive instead of only giving

373

341 - Why Everyone Deserves to Be Treated Like They're Sensitive

Feb 15, 2026

58:03

Rena recently read about how to communicate with "Earth types" - people who are highly sensitive and need to be spoken to with extra care and consideration. As she read through all the rules for how to talk to Earth types, she kept thinking - shouldn't we just talk to everyone this way? In this conversation, Rabbi Yonasan and Rena Reiser explore personality types (Earth, Air, Water, Fire) and why Earth types are considered more sensitive. They discuss how Earth types rely heavily on external validation and can be quickly hurt by how people relate to them. But a deeper question emerges: if these communication principles come from nonviolent communication - which helps us see the tzelem Elokim in every person - then why are we only applying them to "sensitive" people? Don't all human beings deserve dignity, validation, and to be truly heard? They explore what it means to be the "canary in the coal mine," why reflecting back what someone says can help move conversations forward (instead of talking in circles until 3am), and the power of recognizing that every person you're talking to is a human being with their own rich inner world. This Episode Is For You If: - You've been told you're "too sensitive" your whole life - You're wondering if you need to walk on eggshells around certain people - You have late-night conversations that go in circles for hours - You say "yes, yes, I hear you" but the other person doesn't feel heard - You're curious about nonviolent communication - You want to understand why some people seem to react more strongly than others - You believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity but struggle with how to actually do that - You're an Earth type and want to understand your sensitivity as a strength

374

342 - I hear you (but do you?)

Feb 16, 2026

2:12

375

343 - When you're emotionally on fire, stop, drop and roll

Feb 17, 2026

1:40

376

344 - Shouldn't we treat everyone this way?

Feb 18, 2026

1:46

377

345 - Compassion vs. enabling

Feb 19, 2026

2:09

378

346 - Somatic Mindfulness Practice: Your Recipe for Being Heard

Feb 20, 2026

8:56

Popular Shows by Rena Reiser Rena Reiser